Mayor Robing 2026

At the Full Town Council meeting on 11 May Councillors voted unanimously to elect Councillors Mark Luson as Town Mayor and Emily Trow as Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2026-27.  Invited guests attended a formal robing ceremony on 1 June when the appointments were confirmed.

In proposing Cllr Luson, Councillor Nicholas Fogg commented that Mark is a loyal member of the Council and has given the town great service.  It is rare to have a serving military officer as a Mayor, and Cllr Fogg felt sure the regimental motto "Fear Nought" meant that Marlborough was in safe hands for the coming year. He warned anyone planning an uprising in the town that the Council now had the capacity to put tanks on the streets, although tanks parked incorrectly were sure to receive a parking ticket!

Councillor Kym-Marie Cleasby proposed a vote of thanks to retiring Mayor Councillor Emily Trow, thanking her for her service and noting her compassion and strength of character.  Councillor Lisa Farrell thanked her for her support to the Marlborough Youth Forum.  In her reply, Emily thanked fellow Councillors, officers, family and friends for their support and was delighted to present a cheque to Jeremy Lune, having raised £10,000 for Prospect Hospice during the past year.  

Rev. Major Mark Nightingale was appointed as Mayor's Chaplain.  Mark had served with the Mayor, having had the unique experience of baptising Ukranian soldiers in the river Avon.  Councillor Luson is married to Gemma.  She and son Beaumont were present to see dad don the red robe.  Mark is a serving Lt Colonel in the British Army, and has spent the last 6 months on operations.  He said that service was in his blood, and he wanted to do all he could to improve the lives of the people of Marlborough.  The town has a strong military presence including longstanding links to 4 Military Intelligence Battalion and he looked forward to their Freedom Parade in September.  Mark will support veterans locally, principally through his chosen charity the Royal British Legion.

 

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A man in a black robe stands, while other people sit around a tableCouncillor Nicholas Fogg proposed Councillor Luson as Mayor
A man in black gown stands, speaking to people seated around a tableCouncillor Mervyn Hall seconded the proposal
A woman with a fair bob wears a black gown. She is reading from a sheet of paperCouncillor Kym-Marie Cleasby proposed a vote of thanks to retiring Mayor, Cllr Trow
A man in a red robes of office is seated, signing a paper. A man in a black gown wearing a horsehair wig stands, observingCllr Luson signs his declaration of acceptance of office, watched by the Town Clerk
People in black robes are seated around a table. A woman in a blue gown is writing, with a man standing behind her to witnessCllr Trow signs her acceptance of office
MR26-007-Mark-and-Emily-share-a-jokeEmily and Mark share a joke
MR26-006-Retiring-Mayor-RepliesRetiring Mayor Emily Trow gives her reply
A man in a red gown and chain of office stands at a lecternThe Mayor gives his speech
Chaplain-Rev-Major-Mark-NightingaleRev. Major Mark Nightingale, the Mayor's Chaplain
VIPsL-R Town Crier Emma Kimber, Mace Bearer Bob Dobie, Town Clerk Richard Spencer-Williams, Ninna Gibson DL, Rev. Major Mark Nightingale, Gemma Luson, Town Mayor Mark Luson, Wiltshire High Sheriff Dr Alexander Goodwin, Deputy Mayor Emily Trow, Mace Bearer Barry Mercer, Beadle Linda Illsley

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